Traditional vs Modern Windows: Complete Style & Performance Comparison

It depends on the local authority. Some conservation areas permit uPVC windows if they closely match the original design in proportions, glazing pattern and colour. Others explicitly prohibit uPVC on front and visible elevations, insisting on timber. Always check with your local planning department before ordering windows for a conservation area property.

Quality uPVC windows typically last 20-30 years. The frames themselves may last longer, but the sealed glass units, hardware and gaskets have a natural lifespan that limits overall window life. Budget uPVC can show yellowing, warping or seal failure within 15-20 years, while premium brands may exceed 30 years. They cannot be repaired as effectively as timber.

Yes, many manufacturers offer uPVC windows with woodgrain foil finishes that simulate the appearance of timber from a distance. These are available in oak, rosewood, cream and other colours. While convincing from the pavement, they lack the depth and texture of real timber at close range and may not satisfy conservation officers.

Modern uPVC and aluminium windows generally offer better security out of the box, with multi-point locking mechanisms and anti-bump cylinders as standard. Traditional timber windows can be retrofitted with security hardware (sash locks, key-operated restrictors, shoot bolts) but rarely match the integrated security of modern systems. Both can achieve Secured by Design certification.

On period properties, yes. Estate agents report that appropriate timber windows can add 5-10% to the value of a Georgian, Victorian or Edwardian property, while inappropriate uPVC replacements can reduce value. On modern properties, the window material has less impact on value, though aluminium is increasingly seen as a premium feature.

Composite windows use a timber core clad in aluminium or uPVC on the external face. They offer the aesthetic warmth of timber internally, the weather resistance of aluminium or uPVC externally, and reduced maintenance compared with all-timber windows. They cost 20-40% more than standard timber but are an excellent compromise for homeowners who want character without the full maintenance commitment.

Traditional timber windows should be repainted every 5-8 years, or every 3-5 years in exposed or coastal locations. Modern factory-applied paint systems (such as micro-porous coatings) can extend this to 8-12 years. Regular inspection and prompt touch-up of any chips or cracks will prevent moisture entering the timber and extend the interval between full redecorations.

Modern aluminium windows incorporate a thermal break — an insulating polyamide strip within the frame that prevents heat conducting through the metal. This eliminates the cold-to-the-touch sensation associated with older aluminium frames and achieves U-values of 1.4-1.6 W/m²K. Older aluminium windows without thermal breaks are very poor insulators and should be replaced.

Yes, this is a common and sensible approach for period properties. Timber sash windows at the front preserve the street-facing character, while modern uPVC or aluminium at the rear provides performance and convenience where authenticity is less critical. Conservation area rules typically apply only to elevations visible from public spaces.

Timber is the most environmentally sustainable window material. It is renewable, has low embodied energy, stores carbon, is repairable and is biodegradable. Aluminium is infinitely recyclable and requires only 5% of the energy of virgin production when recycled. uPVC is the least sustainable due to its petroleum-based production and lower recycling rates, though it is improving.